Ivory Coast mourns victims of Abidjan stampede

At least 61 people were killed in Abidjan, in a stampede after many gathered at a stadium to watch fireworks. News media report that many were crushed and others suffocated as they left the stadium.

The incident happened at a fireworks event at a stadium in the Plateau district to welcome the New Year. While leaving the event, hundreds of people were jammed into a tiny street.

While an investigation is under way, many victims were said to be 15 or younger. President Alassane Ouattara described the deaths as a national tragedy.

According to BBC, different theories are emerging as to what caused the stampede after the fireworks display ended in the 65,000-capacity Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium.

"Some say a group of youths brandishing knives was snatching people's mobile phones, provoking panic among the large crowd," BBC's West Africa correspondent Thomas Fessy said.

But others say security forces acted ineptly as they tried to control the many thousands walking through the city centre - triggering the stampede which has left many more people injured, some critically.

The President also visited some of the wounded who were taken to two hospitals in the country's main city and promised that the costs of their medical treatment would be covered by the government.

The fireworks event had been organised to celebrate the peace recently re-established after a period of unrest triggered by former President Laurent Gbagbo's refusal to recognise Ouattara's victory in 2010 elections.

The night before the tragedy, the stadium hosted a concert by US performer Chris Brown.